EUROPRACTICE was launched by the European Commission in 1989 to help companies improve their competitive position in world markets by adopting ASIC, Multi-Chip Module or Microsystems solutions in their products. The program helps to reduce the perceived risks and costs associated with these technologies by offering potential users a range of services, including initial advice and ongoing support, reduced entry costs and a clear route to chip manufacture and product supply.

Since its creation, EUROPRACTICE has bridged the gap between academia and industry in the high-tech world by offering more than 600 European universities and research institutes affordable access to the latest IC (Integrated Circuits) design tools and technologies. This is reflected in the training provided by universities from which the best IC design engineers emerge, essential for the SMEs innovation in new IC products. 

The ultimate goal of EUROPRACTICE is to enhance European industrial competitiveness in the global marketplace. The EUROPRACTICE services are open to industrial companies (especially SMEs), research institutes and academic users.

SERVICES OFFERED TO EUROPEAN SMEs AND ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS: 

The mission statement of EUROPRACTICE is to provide the European industry and academia with a platform to develop smart integrated systems, from advanced prototype design to volume production. The latter is achieved by providing affordable and easier access to a wide range of state-of-the-art industry-grade fabrication technologies and design tools complemented with training and support to the customer in all critical steps which are needed.

• Affordable access to industry-standard and state-of-the-art design (CAD) tools
• Distribution and full support of high-quality cell libraries and design kits for the most popular CAD tools
• Low-cost prototyping in various technologies (both ASIC and More than Moore) via MPW runs
• Access to advanced packaging and smart system integration
• Training courses in advanced design flows and on various technologies

IC SERVICES OFFERED TO THE GLOBAL INDUSTRY:

EUROPRACTICE also offers industry worldwide access to microelectronic and microsystem design services, MPW prototyping, small volume production, packaging and test operations. Note, this does not include access to design tools.
Industry from all over the world have rapidly discovered the benefits of using the EUROPRACTICE IC service to help bring new product designs to market quickly and cost-effectively. The EUROPRACTICE ASIC route supports especially those companies who do not always need the full range of services or high production volumes. Those companies will gain from the flexible access to silicon prototype and production capacity at leading foundries, design services, high quality support and manufacturing expertise. This you can get all from EUROPRACTICE IC service, a service that is already established for 20 years in the market. 

THE EUROPRACTICE SERVICES ARE OFFERED BY THE FOLLOWING CENTERS: 

• imec (Belgium) 
• Fraunhofer-Institut für Integrierte Schaltungen (Fraunhofer IIS) (Germany)
• STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (United Kingdom)
• CMP (France)
• Tyndall National Institute (Ireland)